How to handle things properly, courtesy of Rugby League:

"The game's English governing body, the RFL, said "due respect will be paid to Her Majesty before all fixtures" with a period of silence being observed at matches, the national anthem being played where possible and black armbands being worn by players and officials.

"This has been a difficult decision - we have taken into account the desire expressed by players and clubs at community level to come together to share their grief, and to celebrate the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II," the RFL said in a statement."

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.

I have posted earlier on my opinion about games this weekend, but just to add my final thoughts on this thread -( at the risk of stating the obvious) One decision to play games this weekend obviously wouldn't need to be the same decision (to play / postpone) any games scheduled to be played on the day / time of the state funeral -

The entire Nation could effectively close for that period of maybe 4 / 5 hours whilst everyone watches at home / lines the streets, pays their respects in any way they see appropriate.

I think the PL and League felt they were in a damned if you do damned if you don't situation, and plumped for what they felt was the safest option, believing they'd come in for less flack if they called off the weekend's fixtures than if they had been allowed to go ahead.

To put this into an historical context, the Football League fixtures all went ahead on the Saturday following the death of the previous monarch, King George VI, and that in an age when there was, one assumes , a greater deference to the monarchy.

I also think matches should have gone ahead. However I sympathise with those who made the decision. What may have influenced this is the f***wits amongst football fans have regularly and repeatedly demonstrated their in ability to respect a minutes silence at matches, hence authorities have resorted to a minutes applause (which although inappropriate in such circumstances, is less so than the alternative of showing no respect).

Couldn't have put it better myself.
The sad thing was the inevitability of the cancellation which was all too predictable given the nature of those making the decision.

The same people who instead of reasoning a sensible response to some of the awful racism in the game albeit by a significant minority.
Instead hoist the awful BLM mantra on all & sundry including the insipid kneeling to that criminal & scumbag George Floyd when they had a perfect moment (even call it good PR)to introduce something more palatable & worthy that everyone could of embrace.
Watch out in November for more twisting of ethics & morals by the FA when the World Cup is being played in Qatar.

Pro USA & Israel